I am invited to attend friend's wedding (just a friend not a close one). Would it be rude to just attend celemony at church and not reception in the evening?? If it ok for me to not attend reception, what will be a good excuse to tell them that it will not be rude?
Do I need to bring gifts? If I do, what should I get for them?
I nevere really been to wedding so I am not sure what to do.
Bride is Filipina & groom is Japanes..... Please help!!
2006-09-09 06:21:36 · 10 answers · asked by sunflower222 5 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
If I don't go to reception, do I still have to bring gifts when I go to celemony?
2006-09-09 06:24:11 · update #1
It is perfectly acceptable to attend only the ceremony..
Bring a small gift ( money and a card, or card and gift certificate so the couple can get what they want/need)...
Just after the ceremony, you should give the gift to either the mother of the bride or the best man with a small hand written note excusing yourself from the reception....
Something like..
John and Jane.
I am sorry, I will be unable to attend your reception this evening due to previous obligations....
Best Wishes,
Sally
P.S. Your ceremony was lovely the bridesmaids dresses in (insert color) and flowers in (insert color) looked perfect together as did the two of you as you exchanged vows..
You will be waiting until after the ceremony so you can put in the p.s. regarding the ceremony so the couple will know you did attend that portion... . You will be giving the gift and note to the bestman or the mother of the bride because the couple will be very busy right after the ceremony (photographs/ etc.) and you will likely be unable to speak with them...
2006-09-09 06:52:51 · answer #1 · answered by Diane (PFLAG) 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You never BRING a gift to the wedding or reception. You ship the gift to the bride's home or the couple's home, either before or soon after the ceremony.
Why don't you want to attend the reception? Write them a note to ask them if it would be OK with them if you only attended the ceremony-- do not just assume it is OK. They may end up paying for the catering meal they intended for you to eat at the reception, and you don't even show up.
2006-09-10 02:42:22 · answer #2 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say to at least go to the ceremony. You don't really need to give an excuse as to why you won't be attending the reception. Question: Why don't you want to attend the reception? They are usually really fun. If they are registered somewhere purchase them a gift from their registry. If they are not registered, purchase them a gift certificate to some department store so that they may go and purchase something for their new home together. With a gift certificate they can pick it out themselves so you don't have to worry about whether they will like the gift or not. :)
2006-09-09 17:35:12 · answer #3 · answered by **hope/faith**1744 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yYou are being very polite to attend the ceremony...however the reception is the fun part of it all! At my wedding my guest came to the reception not the ceremony because they felt that the ceremony was for close friends and family. I suggest you attend both and bring a nice gift (money). Enjoy the day with the bride and groom, they want you to attend.
2006-09-09 13:36:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My guess is that if this is not a CLOSE friend, the bride will be so occupied by the stresses of the wedding that she will not even notice if you are not there. If the groom is your "not close friend", he probably doesn't care if you come or not!
Certainly there will be enough close friends (especially on her side, Filipino weddings are such fun!) filling the seats, that if you don't desire to be there, you shouldn't feel obligated.
If you are asked if you plan to attend, a simple yes or no should be your answer. Don't bother fabricating an excuse. As Phoebe would say (Friends): "Oh, gee, I would... but I don't want to".
If your "not close friend" really wants for you to be there, and tells you they really want for you to be there, take some time to think about it. They might consider you to be a closer friend than you consider them to be. If you don't desire to be a close friend, not attending should just do the trick!
2006-09-09 13:47:24 · answer #5 · answered by sendmedaisies 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if you are not going to the reception you should tell them, it usually costs at least $40 a person for the reception, it would be considerate to let her know so she is not spending $ on you! and yes still give them a gift, they should be registered somewhere, ask someone you know who is attending the wedding.
2006-09-09 14:11:38 · answer #6 · answered by heartichoke 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can attend the ceremony and yes bring a gift, there is no reason to make up a excuse, they will be to busy to notice you are missing.
2006-09-09 13:27:03 · answer #7 · answered by eeyore6838 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Tell the truth, then you don't have to make up a story. That helps no one. Yes, get them a gift.
2006-09-09 18:38:39 · answer #8 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always bring a gift. If you do not want to go to both maybe you have to work or something.
2006-09-09 13:23:54 · answer #9 · answered by travelguruette 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
yes you do! and yes it is rude not to stay for the reception!
2006-09-10 05:49:11 · answer #10 · answered by dark^wishy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋